Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel has officially opened in Vienna, marking the debut of the luxury brand in Austria. This stunning heritage palace, designed by architect Baron Theophil Edvard von Hansen for the 1873 World’s Fair, is now the city’s first urban luxury resort, offering a blend of history and modern comfort.
Originally constructed as a hotel, the building later served as a residential complex and public administration space. In 2011, it returned to its roots as a hotel. With over 150 years of history, the Palais Hansen is a prime example of Viennese Neo-Renaissance architecture. Many public areas within the hotel still feature the original marble floors, stucco ceilings, ionic columns, and heritage-listed staircases, showcasing Hansen’s design.
The hotel combines historic elegance with contemporary style and Asian-inspired hospitality. Located on the Ringstrasse in Vienna’s historic financial district, the hotel offers easy access to the charming Servitenviertel, often called Vienna’s “Little Paris.” Anantara Palais Hansen blends Viennese charm with cosmopolitan sophistication.
The recent renovation has transformed the hotel’s 152 guest rooms and suites into intimate, serene spaces, featuring warm neutral tones and natural light from the hotel’s three inner courtyards. Elegant touches include marble bathrooms, Acqua di Parma amenities, and triple-glazed windows that ensure peace and comfort. Some rooms offer balconies, and the most luxurious accommodations offer sweeping views of the tree-lined Ringstrasse.
The Presidential Suite, the largest in Vienna at 270 square meters, is an extravagant space with seven French balconies. It includes a grand piano for private performances, a dining area for elegant gatherings, and a wellness area with a marble bath by the window. The suite can be expanded to four bedrooms, reaching 408 square meters.
The hotel’s dining offerings include three distinct venues. Edvard, the Michelin-starred restaurant, features avant-garde cuisine from head chef Paul Gamauf. His dishes focus on sustainability and low-waste ingredients. Theo’s Lounge & Bar, located in the former inner courtyard, merges Viennese coffee house culture with sophisticated cocktails, offering pastries and cakes by day, and vibrant cocktails in the evening. Brasserie Sophie, named after Hansen’s wife, offers a reimagined take on Austrian cuisine and hosts monthly themed brunches.
The Anantara Spa, spanning 800 square meters, offers a wellness experience that combines Eastern and Western traditions. The spa includes six treatment rooms, a couples’ suite, a women-only area, a Finnish sauna, a Hammam-style steam bath, and a sanarium. The spa also features advanced therapies like pulsed light therapy, body contouring, and high-end facials. Guests can also enjoy a fitness center and jogging routes along the Danube Canal and Ringstrasse.
For those interested in Vienna’s history, guided tours led by Hansen experts are available, including visits to the atelier Lobmeyr, where chandeliers and glassware were once crafted for Hansen’s palaces. During the warmer months, guests can explore a scenic vineyard near Vienna, complete with views and a traditional picnic. Anantara chefs also offer cooking classes focused on local specialties, such as semolina dumpling soup and Kaiserschmarren pancakes.
The hotel features Vienna’s largest ballroom, which can accommodate up to 265 guests and is perfect for weddings, conferences, and private events. With additional meeting spaces, an executive boardroom, and a private reading room, it is a prime location for special occasions and corporate gatherings.
Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel is just a 25-minute drive from Vienna International Airport (VIE), with rates starting at EUR 550 per night (around AU$962) for a Deluxe Room, including breakfast for two guests.
Related topic:
- Four Seasons to Open Luxury Resort in Ajman
- Minor Hotels Appoints Yun Bai as General Manager for Queen’s Wharf Residences in Brisbane
- Kittawa Lodge Unveils New Two-Bedroom Retreat for Guests